OVISCORI (Costa Rican Volcanic and Seismic Observatory) announced that Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica in 2005.  Although it registered its lowest level of activity since it became active in the 1960s

The National Forestry Office reports that illegal logging has dropped significantly in Costa Rica in the last 3 years. In 2001 35% of the wood used in the country was brought out of forests illegally.  In 2004 the rate was 15%. 

Juan José Jiménez, Coordinator for the Strategic Control of Illegal Logging for SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas) attributed the success to to the use of satellite technology to watch the forests. Since 2001 each forest inspector visits farms with a laptop computer which has GPS technology.  In this way the inspector can compare the state of the land in 2000 with the current growth.  He or she also has access to the permits issued for that farm.  In this way the inspector can determine whether illegal logging has occurred and issue a citation to the owner.   If convicted, the owner would face 3 months to 3 years of prison. 
This threat is a deterrent to many landowners

The technology also eliminates a tactic frequently used in the past for obtaining permits under false pretenses.  In the past, a farmer could clear sections of forest little by little, clearing out undergrowth and secondary growth.   After a prudent amount of time they could go to MINAE asking for permission to log in "the pasture".  The new technology eliminates the possibility of using this tactic.

Even so authorities fear that forest is being lost. Maps made in 2000 showed that 45% of the country was covered in forest, mangrove swamps or tree plantations.  Jiménez fears that new maps being made from data compiled in 2005 will show the forest receding under the pressure from pineapple farmers and tourism.

The Playa Buena Vista hatchery in Samara is preparing to release 218 leatherback turtles into the ocean. The project began in 2005 and since July has released 12,000 turtles.